Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy for the treatment of infected pericardial effusion with tamponade.

MedLine Citation:

PMID:
16816447
Owner:
NLM
Status:
MEDLINE

Abstract/OtherAbstract:

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy has been used as an alternative for surgically created pericardial window mainly for the management of malignant pericardial effusions in critically ill patients. We describe a patient with purulent pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade who was treated successfully and without complications with percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy.